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SSC CHSL Articles

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This page covers SSC CHSL Articles with complete concept notes, 23 graded practice MCQs, key points and exam-specific tips. Free to study.

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Concept Notes

Articles— Rules & Concept

Core ConceptRead this first — the foundation of the topic
There are only three articles

'a', 'an', and 'the'. Yet students lose easy marks here. Let's master this topic. CORE CONCEPT Articles are words that come before nouns. They tell us if we're talking about something specific or general. 'A' and 'an' are indefinite articles (general). 'The' is definite article (specific). KEY RULES 1

Use 'a' before consonant sounds

a book, a university (yu-sound) 2

Use 'an' before vowel sounds

an apple, an hour (silent h) 3

Use 'the' for specific things

the book you gave me 4

No article with plural general nouns

Books are useful (not 'The books') 5

No article with uncountable nouns in general sense

Water is life

Formula BlockMemorise — at least one formula appears in every paper

Sound Rule: Listen to SOUND, not spelling

- a + consonant sound (a one-way street - 'w' sound)

- an + vowel sound (an MBA - 'em' sound)

Specific vs General Rule:

- First mention = a/an (I saw a dog)
- Second mention = the (The dog was black)
Exam PatternsWhat examiners ask — read before attempting PYQs
1

Fill in blanks with correct article

2

Error spotting in article usage

3

Choose correct sentence from options

ShortcutsUse these to save 30–60 seconds per question
1

HOUN Rule

2

H: Silent H = an (an hour, an honest man)

3

H: Pronounced H = a (a house, a horse)

4

U: 'yu' sound = a (a university, a union)

5

U: 'u' sound = an (an umbrella, an uncle)

6

O: 'o' sound = an (an orange, an office)

7

O: 'w' sound = a (a one-day match)

Worked ExampleSolve this step-by-step before moving on
1
Step 1

Check the sound after the article

2
Step 2

'Honest' starts with silent H

3
Step 3

Silent H = vowel sound = 'an' Answer: an WORKED EXAMPLE 2 Question: 'I bought a book. ___ book was expensive.'

1
Step 1

First mention of book = indefinite article 'a'

2
Step 2

Second mention = specific book = 'the'

3
Step 3

Reader knows which book we're talking about Answer: The SHORTCUT 2 - Zero Article Rule No article needed with: - Proper nouns: Delhi, India, Ram - Abstract nouns in general: Love is blind - Subjects/Languages: Mathematics, English - Meals in general: after breakfast - Diseases: diabetes, cancer

Exam TrapsCommon mistakes students make — avoid these

#1 Students use spelling instead of sound. They write 'a hour' because H is consonant in spelling. But 'hour' sounds like 'our' - vowel sound.

So it's 'an hour'. Always check SOUND, not SPELLING. SHORTCUT 3 - Superlative Rule Always use 'the' with superlatives: - the best student - the most beautiful girl - the highest mountain This rule has zero exceptions in SSC exams.

Key Points to Remember

  • Sound Rule: Use 'a' before consonant sounds, 'an' before vowel sounds - check pronunciation, not spelling
  • HOUN Rule: Silent H and 'u' sound take 'an'; pronounced H and 'yu' sound take 'a'
  • Specific Rule: First mention uses a/an, second mention uses 'the'
  • Zero Article: No article with proper nouns, abstract nouns, subjects, meals, diseases in general sense
  • Superlative Rule: Always use 'the' with superlatives like 'the best', 'the most'
  • Uncountable nouns take no article in general sense: Water is life, not 'The water is life'
  • Plural nouns take no article in general sense: Books are useful, not 'The books are useful'
  • Musical instruments always take 'the': play the piano, the guitar, the violin
  • Unique things take 'the': the sun, the moon, the earth, the sky
  • Directions and positions take 'the': the north, the top, the bottom, the right

Exam-Specific Tips

  • Articles appear in 2-3 questions every SSC CGL exam
  • Only three articles exist in English: a, an, the
  • Silent H words take 'an': honest, hour, heir, honor
  • University, union, European take 'a' due to 'yu' consonant sound
  • One-day, one-way take 'a' due to 'w' consonant sound
  • All superlative forms must use 'the': the best, the worst, the highest
  • Musical instruments always take 'the': the piano, the guitar, the flute
  • Abstract nouns in general sense take zero article: love, hatred, honesty
Practice MCQs

Articles — Practice Questions

23graded MCQs · easy to hard · full solution & trap analysis · showing 20 of 23

All MCQs →
Practice 1easy

In the following sentence, identify the part containing an error: (A) The manager asked / (B) an employee / (C) to submit / (D) the report by Friday. / (E) No error

Practice 2easy

In the following sentence, identify the part containing an error: (A) The students / (B) submitted / (C) their assignments / (D) on a time. / (E) No error

Practice 3easy

In the following sentence, identify the error (if any): He gave me (A) an advice / (B) on how to / (C) improve my / (D) English skills. / No error (E)

Practice 4easy

In the following sentence, identify the part containing an error: (A) He is / (B) an honest / (C) and dedicated / (D) the employee. / (E) No error

Practice 5easy

In the following sentence, identify the part containing an error: (A) She is reading / (B) a book / (C) about the history / (D) of ancient Rome. / (E) No error

Practice 6easy

In the following sentence, identify the error (if any): The students were asked (A) to read / (B) an article / (C) from the / (D) internet yesterday. / No error (E)

Practice 7easy

In the following sentence, identify the error (if any): She is (A) a most talented / (B) student in / (C) the class and / (D) deserves recognition. / No error (E)

Practice 8easy

In the following sentence, identify the error (if any): The manager asked (A) an employee / (B) to submit / (C) the report / (D) before noon. / No error (E)

Practice 9easy

In the following sentence, identify the error (if any): The committee has decided (A) to implement / (B) a new policy / (C) across the / (D) organisation. / No error (E)

Practice 10medium

Identify the error in the following sentence: The manager asked (A) / a junior employee (B) / to prepare the report (C) / with utmost care. (D) / No error (E)

Practice 11medium

Identify the error in the following sentence: The committee has decided (A) / that an new policy (B) / should be implemented (C) / across all departments. (D) / No error (E)

Practice 12medium

Identify the error in the following sentence: The professor explained (A) / that a student should always (B) / consult the reference materials (C) / before submitting an assignment. (D) / No error (E)

Practice 13medium

Identify the error in the following sentence: The director requested (A) / that the team submit (B) / the quarterly report (C) / by the end of the month. (D) / No error (E)

Practice 14medium

Identify the error in the following sentence: The manager asked (A) / each of the employees (B) / to submit a report (C) / by the end of week. (D) / No error (E)

Practice 15medium

Identify the error in the following sentence: A student should always (A) / carry an identification card (B) / to the examination hall (C) / for security purpose. (D) / No error (E)

Practice 16medium

Identify the error in the following sentence: The principal announced (A) / that a new sports complex (B) / would be constructed (C) / in the campus by next year. (D) / No error (E)

Practice 17medium

Identify the error in the following sentence: The government has launched (A) / a scheme to provide (B) / free education to the children (C) / of the poor families. (D) / No error (E)

Practice 18medium

Identify the error in the following sentence: The committee has decided (A) / that an applicant must possess (B) / a bachelor's degree in engineering (C) / and the experience of five years. (D) / No error (E)

Practice 19hard

The board of directors, along with the chief executive officer, (A) have decided to implement (B) a new strategy that will revolutionise the way in which (C) the company conducts its operations across all divisions. (D) No error

Practice 20hard

Although she had been working in the finance sector for over a decade, (A) she was unable to secure (B) an position in the multinational corporation (C) despite her extensive experience and qualifications. (D) No error

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60-Second Revision — Articles

  • Remember: Sound matters, not spelling - 'an hour' but 'a university'
  • Formula: First mention = a/an, Second mention = the
  • Trap: Don't use 'the' with plural/uncountable nouns in general sense
  • Quick Check: Superlatives always need 'the', zero exceptions
  • HOUN Rule: Silent H and 'u' sound = an; pronounced H and 'yu' sound = a
  • Zero Article: Proper nouns, abstract nouns, subjects, diseases, meals in general
  • Unique Rule: The sun, the moon, the earth always take 'the'
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